The Link2ICT Free School Meals Eligibility Checking Service

The Pupil Premium is additional funding given to publicly funded schools in England to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils and close the gap between them and their peers.

The funding will be valid for any pupil eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) within the last 6 years. It is therefore more crucial than ever that schools access their full entitlement based on eligible pupil numbers.

The Link2ICT Free School Meals Eligibility Checking Service provides an online form, accessible through any device, which enables parents, carers or schools on their behalf to check their eligibility for FSM and therefore Pupil Premium funding.

How schools can boost their Pupil Premium?

Percy Shurmer Academy has been using this service provided by Link2ICT since September 2014 and has immediately noticed the difference. Within weeks, they gained an additional 19 pupils who are eligible, amounting to an extra £24,700 in Pupil Premium. After the initial set up of the system, Percy Shurmer Academy has now reduced admin time and their records are 100% accurate. Any subsequent changes are picked up by the system as it makes regular automatic updates, ensuring all records are consistently up to date.

“It is very easy to use and the reports provided are self explanatory. Our leadership team is happy with the system and would recommend the Link2ICT Free School Meals Eligibility Checking Service to other schools.”

Jenny Clapham, Strategic Business Manager, Percy Shurmer Academy

To date, over 500 schools in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands are using the service and we would be happy to discuss how you too could use this service to increase your Pupil Premium funding. If you would like further information on the above service, please contact us.

Pupil Premium and Anderton Park School

Anderton Park School use the Link2ICT Free School Meals Eligibility Checking Service to maximise their Pupil Premium. The school has a number of pupils from the Romanian community, and Link2ICT has been helping Anderton Park with a particular need to explain the benefits of schools getting access to pupil premium funding, and the role of parents in achieving this by encouraging them to apply for free school meals. This will ultimately lead to their children being supported in the best possible way by ensuring the school is maximising their Pupil Premium funding.

Please take a look at our video showing you how to use the Link2ICT Free School Meals Eligibility Checking Service and how it benefits pupils, parents and schools: